Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We are very fortunate in Ireland in terms of the industrial relations system we have developed. We have industrial machinery available to both parties, namely, the Labour Court and Workplace Relations Commission. The fundamental approach of successive Governments to industrial relations has been one of voluntarism. There has been a consensus among the social partners that the terms and conditions of employment of workers are best determined through the process of voluntary bargaining between employers and workers and employers' associations and trade unions or staff associations. This approach has served us well over the years.

In general, our laws do not try to impose on parties to a trade dispute. Rather, they are designed to help support parties in resolving their differences. The State has, by and large, confined its role to underpinning voluntarism through the provision of a framework and institutions through which good industrial relations can prosper. Our industrial relations institutions have been heavily involved in this dispute and the Workplace Relations Commission and Labour Court have put forward independent proposals and recommendations and will keep a close watch. I hope the Deputies will join me in encouraging both sides to make every effort to reach a resolution.

It is reported on the RTE website that Mandate and Tesco have agreed to talks in a bid to resolve this row. My understanding is that no date has yet been agreed.

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